Nicolò Bulega was the fastest on the first day of World Superbike testing this week at the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto. It was in the final phase of the day that the rider set the best time of all.
The rookie, last year’s Supersport world champion, lapped in 1m38.292s on his best lap aboard the Panigale V4 R, surpassing Alex Lowes (Kawasaki) by 1.182s. Stefan Bradl was between the two, but the German was testing the MotoGP Honda RC213V, unlike the other riders who were all from WSBK or WSSP.
BMW performed well, with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark in the top four of the Superbikes, while Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha) was the fifth fastest. In another test with his new Yamaha, Jonathan Rea finished the day in sixth, while the reigning champion, Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati), was tenth – positions that discount Bradl’s presence.
As for WSSP, the fastest was Marcel Schrötter (MV Agusta), finishing 0.129s ahead of Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the top three in the category 0.144s behind Schrötter, followed by Adrián Huertas from the reigning champion Aruba.it Ducati and Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta).
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